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More than 180 out for Nordic School Challenge

Soccer and lacrosse can be hard enough on grass, but skies are a whole other matter entirely.
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Soccer and lacrosse can be hard enough on grass, but skies are a whole other matter entirely.

Wednesday morning students in Grades 4 to 7 from nine Yukon schools participated the Yukon Nordic School Challenge at the Whitehorse Cross-Country Ski Club adjacent to the Canada Games Centre.

Tackling activities such as the aforementioned summer sports with a winter twist, skiers tried obstacle and slalom courses before a series of sprint races in the afternoon.

“What we’re trying to do is promote the sport of cross-country skiing, targeting Grades 4 to 7,” said Alain Masson, head coach of Cross-Country Yukon. “(We’re) trying to attract kids before they get too old and build some hesitation towards trying something new.

“We’re hoping after a day like this we’ll have some new skiers next year.

“It’s really for fun and making it a positive experience.”

Included in the more than 180 participants were a handful of students from Carmacks and Carcross schools.

The event was a great opportunity for kids from outside Whitehorse to see the skill levels of other skiers from throughout the territory, said Nick Vienneau, from Ghuch Tla Community School in Carcross.

“This is wonderful for the kids to see the calibre that’s out here,” said Vienneau. “This shows the kids some wonderful skiing.

“We brought five kids today ... We’ll be back next year.”

Being a “participation event,” there was no emphasis placed on winning, but at the end of the day Jack Hulland Elementary did receive the Spirit Award.

“It’s such a hard decision to make,” said event organizer Amanda Dueling.

“They’re all great kids out here and they’re all cheering wonderfully for their team.

“Sheer numbers. They brought 38 kids. They had fabulous voices out there, cheering on their teammates.”

Contact Tom Patrick at

tomp@yukon-news.com